Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world today. Its adherents number 250,000, but thousands of years ago it was the state religion of the mighty Persian Empire and one of the most powerful religions in the world. In this paper I will tell you about the history of Zoroastrianism and its founder, Zoroaster, also known as Zarathushtra. I will discuss their scripture, doctrines, and end by examining in detail the commonalities in both doctrine and legend which will illustrate the influence that Zoroastrianism has had on more modern monotheistic religions.
Zarathushtra
Zarathushtra was the founder of Zoroastrianism. There is some mystery around who he was and when lived, but he is generally accepted as a historical figure, where he fits into history is disputed. Sources that look at archaeological digs, linguistic analysis, and social customs noted in the writings of Zarathushtra suggest that he lived between 2000 B.C.E and 1000 B.C.E. Adherents to the religion believe he lived as early as the 7th millennium B.C.E. There are some scholars who would date him as late as 100 B.C.E. (Wikipedia, 2006) He was born in present day Iran to the Spitama family. He is thought to have died at approximately 77 years of age.
Zarathushtra had a wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters who eventually converted to his newly founded religion. He spent many fruitless years in his homeland attempting to gain additional convert but he met with rejection at nearly every turn. He eventually decided to take his followers and move on to another land where he hoped he would be better received, Bactria, the land of King Vishtaspa. His teachings were accepted by the king and his wife and, from this point, the teachings and religion of Zarathushtra began its spread across Iran and began to emerge as the state religion. (BBC, 2005)
As is consistent with Zoroastrian beliefs today, Zarathushtra did not attempt to destroy all other existing religions, rather he
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world today. Its adherents number 250,000, but thousands of years ago it was the state religion of the mighty Persian Empire and one of the most powerful religions in the world. In this paper I will tell you about the history of Zoroastrianism and its founder, Zoroaster, also known as Zarathushtra. I will discuss their scripture, doctrines, and end by examining in detail the commonalities in both doctrine and legend which will illustrate the influence that Zoroastrianism has had on more modern monotheistic religions.
Zarathushtra
Zarathushtra was the founder of Zoroastrianism. There is some mystery around who he was and when lived, but he is generally accepted as a historical figure, where he fits into history is disputed. Sources that look at archaeological digs, linguistic analysis, and social customs noted in the writings of Zarathushtra suggest that he lived between 2000 B.C.E and 1000 B.C.E. Adherents to the religion believe he lived as early as the 7th millennium B.C.E. There are some scholars who would date him as late as 100 B.C.E. (Wikipedia, 2006) He was born in present day Iran to the Spitama family. He is thought to have died at approximately 77 years of age.
Zarathushtra had a wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters who eventually converted to his newly founded religion. He spent many fruitless years in his homeland attempting to gain additional convert but he met with rejection at nearly every turn. He eventually decided to take his followers and move on to another land where he hoped he would be better received, Bactria, the land of King Vishtaspa. His teachings were accepted by the king and his wife and, from this point, the teachings and religion of Zarathushtra began its spread across Iran and began to emerge as the state religion. (BBC, 2005)
As is consistent with Zoroastrian beliefs today, Zarathushtra did not attempt to destroy all other existing religions, rather he
References: Abrams, P. (2001) Water in Religion. Retrieved April 14, 2006 from http://www.thewaterpage.com/religion.htm#Zoroastrianism BBC CAIS. (2006). The Gathas: The Hymns of Zarathushtra. Retrieved April 11, 2006 from http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Religions/iranian/Zarathushtrian/gathas_the_hymns_of_zarathushtra.htm Cann, R Choksy, J. (2005). Fire Temples. Calliope, 15(5), 45-45. Retrieved April 12, 2006 from the MasterFILE Premier database. Konig, T. (n.d.). Zoroaster. Britannica Biography Collection, Retrieved April 12, 2006 from the MasterFILE Premier database. Oxford Reference Online Oxford Reference Online. (2000). Avesta. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. Retrieved April 10,2006 from the Apollo Group. Shahriari, S Wikipedia. (2006) Zoroastrianism. Retrieved April 9, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Williams, A